Estes Park News

Plan ahead if visiting Rocky Mountain National Park on August 24 during the USA Pro Challenge

By Kyle Patterson, RMNP

Special to the Trail-Gazette

Posted:
08/16/2013 11:31:51 AM MDT

Stage 6 of the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge will come through the community of Estes Park on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday, August 24. The race will start that morning in Loveland and finish in Fort Collins. The race will not come through Rocky Mountain National Park, however access to and egress from the east side of the park will be impacted.

Visitors who plan to enter Rocky Mountain National Park on the east side through Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance on Saturday, August 24, should plan to arrive by 8 a.m. Numerous planned road closures in the Estes Park community, listed below, will affect access to and from the park. Those planning to access the park from the west side and leave from the east side should also plan accordingly.

Due to road closures adjacent to the park's east side, the Hiker Shuttle from Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park will not operate. The shuttle routes inside the park along the Bear Lake Road corridor will operate as usual.

US Highway 36, which is the road to Beaver Meadows Entrance, will close at approximately 9 a.m. until late afternoon. There will be detours in place which will result in delays to reach the park.

US Highway 34, which is the road to Fall River Entrance, will close from approximately noon to 3 p.m. There will be detours in place which will result in delays to reach the park.

Visitors who plan to exit on the east side of the park (Highway 34 or 36) should exit after 4 p.m. to avoid detours, heavy congestion and delays.

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The Dunraven Trailhead and Lumpy Ridge Trailhead will be inaccessible for most of the day on August 24.

Visitors who plan to come to Rocky Mountain National Park through the east entrances on Saturday, August 24, will have a more enjoyable time if they arrive by 8 a.m. and are prepared to stay in the park throughout the day.

Additional information related to the Pro Challenge and travel within the park can be found at nps.gov/romo. Follow us on Twitter: RMNPOfficial - to get traffic updates for the park on August 24.

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